Social Work Day | Mangal Chauthi Vrata

The third Tuesday in March serves as Social Workday each year. The day honors social workers' sacrificial efforts and perseverance. On this day, a global association of social workers promotes best practices in social work while fighting for social justice, human rights, and social development. There are numerous roles for social workers in our communities. They evaluate the requirements and difficulties of their clients and the community. As advocates, they speak out for their clients, secure the resources they require to enhance their quality of life, and inform others of what to do in an emergency. Additionally, social workers respond to catastrophes.

SOCIAL WORKDAY'S HISTORY
Social Work Day is promoted by the International Federation of Social Workers (I.F.S.W. ). Since 1983, the Federation, a global, non-governmental association of social workers, has collaborated with other groups to promote international collaboration and honor the achievements and efforts of social workers all around the world. The organization focuses on a different theme every year. I Am Because We Are: Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connectivity (2021), Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships (2020), Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability (2017), and Promoting the Dignity and Worth of Peoples have been some of the themes over the years (2015).

Theme 2025:
The theme for Social Work Day 2025 is "Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing". This theme emphasizes the importance of caring across generations to build strong societies.
Utmost wishes

Mangal Chauthi



In Hindu rites, people worship and remember Lord Ganesha before starting any work so that there is no hindrance. It is customary to worship Lord Ganesha as a benevolent deity.

विघ्नेश्वराय वरदाय सुरप्रियाय, लम्बोदराय सकलाय जगद्विताय
नागाननाय श्रुतियज्ञविभुषिताय, गौरीसुताय गणनाथ नमो नमस्ते

Meaning:
Salutations to Vighnesvara (who eliminates my afflictions and hurdles), the giver of boons, beloved of the gods, tall, full of arts, benefactor of the world, with the mouth of an elephant, and beautified by the Vedas, the son of Parvati. O Gananath, greetings to you.

Relation of Tuesday, Chaturthi and Lord Ganesha
Today, Tuesday is also considered as the day of Lord Ganesha.

Since the birth date of Lord Ganesha falls on Chaturthi, it is customary to celebrate this day as Mangal Chauthi with special worship. Those who fast for Lord Ganesha on Tuesday start fasting from today.

Lord Ganesha is known as the deity who bestows auspicious fruits. If you are up to commencing any new work, then today is considered very auspicious. May all be well on this auspicious day.

Worship Methodology of Mangal Chauthi
Greetings to Vighneshwar, the giver of gifts, beloved of the gods, lambodar, full of arts, benefactor of the world, elephant-like face and adorned with Vedas and sacrifices, O Gananath, greetings to you.

Those who worship, recite, fast, narrate and adore Ganesha on this day with Riddhi Siddhi will get wealth, son, spouse, the good fortune of Mars and peace of mind and will get rid of all kinds of sorrows (suffering and disruption, etc.)

Worship materials should be prepared including paddy, rice, barley, sesame, kush, duna, tapari, panchamrit, avir, saffron, vermilion, red akshata, coconut, fruit, dish, incense, lamp, camphor, red flower, garland and preparing laddu, dubo etc can also be done. Turn east, north or west, sit in pure asana, lighting and invoking the lamp is done after.

Then with barley, sesame, water, flower, kush or dubo and drabya in the right hand, the Sankalpa i.e. place and time should be pronounced, the name of one's family and relatives should be pronounced with one's gotra, and the sankalpa should be taken with a sense of sakam or nishkam. Indeed, there is no rocket science to worship lord Ganesha, a pure heart and an unquestionable devotion are the key integrals, remember with compassion, Lord Ganesha will never disappoint you.

In this way, Ganesha will be pleased with the worship done with reverence and devotion and will surely fulfill the desires of the devotees. Astu

-Suyog Dhakal